Karen Ann Hammond

She was born February 23, 1946 in Salem, Illinois, to Glenn and Alice (Johnson) Key. She spent her earliest years in Salem, Carlyle and Quincy, IL and had very fond memories of family time spent in Beloit, WI at the home of her grandfather, Hans Johnson, a Norwegian immigrant. Karen was very proud of this heritage and spent quite a bit of time researching her roots!

Karen attended high school in Macomb, IL, where she met her husband, John “Jack” H. Hammond. She continued her education at Western Illinois University and graduated in 1968 with a Bachelor’s degree in Spanish. Karen taught high school Spanish in Rockton, IL for two years. Karen and Jack were married on June 28, 1969. In 1973 they moved from Champaign, IL, to Huntsville, AL, for Jack’s military service. There, they had two children, Kristin and John, and the family moved to Fairfax, VA in 1979.

Karen served her community in many roles: as a volunteer at Mantua Elementary School, a “uniform lady” for the W. T. Woodson High School band, and as an administrator for Fairfax Choral Society. Karen was very involved in the life of her church, Fairfax Presbyterian. She participated in handbell choirs, volunteered for many years as a “choir mom,” served as a deacon, directed two beloved groups of handbell players, the Radiant Ringers and the Chancel Ringers, and most recently served as an elder and chair of Property Management Ministry.

Karen was also very devoted to her family and friends. She spent countless hours driving Kristin and John to and from various school and extracurricular activities, and was, without fail, there to support them at swim meets, choir concerts, band events, and church choir performances, to name just a few of their childhood endeavors. Karen was an unfailing support to Jack as well, handling many of the responsibilities of running the household, but also as a partner and friend. They enjoyed many travel adventures, often with Marylu, a cherished family friend of 64 years, and also quiet times at home, reading aloud, watching sports (often with a cat in residence on her lap!), or perhaps learning from one of their Great Courses. Karen had many good friends and made a point of maintaining these friendships through letters and emails, lunch and dinner dates, telephone calls, and travels.

Karen is survived by her husband of 53 years, John H. Hammond, daughter Kristin Hammond and son-in-law Kirk A. Hurd, and son, John David Hammond, brother and sister-in-law Richard “Dick” and Maureen (Stapleton) Hammond, niece Bridgette Hammond, cousins Vera Dauffenbach (Wil Tabb), Fred Dauffenbach (Kate) and Ann Dauffenbach (Jim Kovatch), and lifelong friend Marylu McEwen.

A memorial service will be held on Saturday, August 20, 2022 at 11 a.m. at Fairfax Presbyterian Church, 10723 Main St., Fairfax, VA.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Fairfax Presbyterian Church Music Ministry

(fairfaxpresbyterian.org; specify Music Ministry in Comments).